Six Theosophic Points, and Other Writings
21. And we see also very exactly herefrom, how God's kingdom is found only in the bright clear light in freedom, in love and gentleness ; for that is the property of the white clear light. As is to be seen in outer nature, that where there is a pleasant, mild and sweet matter for the outer fire (which is but the fierceness of the inner fire), that also a pleasant light and odour arise from it. Muchp. 61 more is this so in the spirit-fire, to which no comprehensible or external being belongs; but where the seven spirits of Nature make in themselves a fire, which is only a property and a source of fire, as indeed the dark world and light-world stand in such a spiritual property.
22. As also the inner man, who is from the Eternal and who goeth into the Eternal; he has only the two worlds in him. The property to which he turns himself, into that world is he introduced, and of that world's property will he eternally be, and enjoy the same; either a source of love from the light-world of gentleness, or a hostile source from the dark world.
23. Here he buds and grows in the middle world between the light-world and dark world; he may give himself up to which he pleases. The essence which obtains the dominion in him, whether fierceness or gentleness, the same he embraces, and it hangs into him and leads him; it gives him morals and will, and unites itself wholly with him; and thereinto man brings the spiritual man, viz. the image which God created from His being, from all the three principles.
24. Therefore it is said : Take the cross upon thee ; enter into patience, into a meek life. Do not what the dark centre of wrath incites thee to, nor what the falsehood and pleasure of this world entice thee to; but break both their wills. Neither provoke any to anger. For if thou deal falsely, thou dost incense thy brother and hinder the kingdom of God.
p. 62
25. Thou shouldst be a leader into the kingdom of God, and enkindle thy brother with thy love and meekness, that he may see in thee God's essence as in a mirror, and thus in thee take hold also with his imagination. Doest thou this, then bringest thou thy soul, thy work, likewise thy neighbour or brother into God's kingdom, and enlargest the kingdom of heaven with its wonders. This has Christ taught us, saying: If any smite thee on one cheek, offer him the other also; if any take away thy cloak, withhold not from him thy coat also (Matt. v. 39, 40) ; that he may have in thee a mirror and retreat into himself, see thy meekness, acknowledge thou art God's child, and that God's Spirit leads thee; that he may learn of thee, descend into himself and seek himself. Else, if thou oppose him with defiance and spite, his spite becomes kindled still more, and at last he thinks he is acting right to thee. But thus he must certainly recognize he doth thee wrong.
26. And as God's love resists all wicked men, and the conscience often dissuades from evil, so also thy meekness and patience go to his bad conscience, and arraign the conscience in itself before God's light in the wrath. In this way many a wicked man goes out from his wickedness, descends into himself and seeks himself. Then God's Spirit puts him in mind of thy patience, and sets it before his eyes, and so he is drawn thereby into repentance and abstinence.
21. And we see also very exactly herefrom, how God's kingdom is found only in the bright clear light in freedom, in love and gentleness ; for that is the property of the white clear light. As is to be seen in outer nature, that where there is a pleasant, mild and sweet matter for the outer fire (which is but the fierceness of the inner fire), that also a pleasant light and odour arise from it. Muchp. 61 more is this so in the spirit-fire, to which no comprehensible or external being belongs; but where the seven spirits of Nature make in themselves a fire, which is only a property and a source of fire, as indeed the dark world and light-world stand in such a spiritual property.
22. As also the inner man, who is from the Eternal and who goes into the Eternal; he has only the two worlds in him. The property to which he turns himself, into that world is he introduced, and of that world's property will he eternally be, and enjoy the same; either a source of love from the light-world of gentleness, or a hostile source from the dark world.
23. Here he buds and grows in the middle world between the light-world and dark world; he may give himself up to which he pleases. The essence which obtains the dominion in him, whether fierceness or gentleness, the same he embraces, and it hangs into him and leads him; it gives him morals and will, and unites itself wholly with him; and thereinto man brings the spiritual man, viz. the image which God created from His being, from all the three principles.
24. Therefore it is said : Take the cross upon you ; enter into patience, into a meek life. Do not what the dark centre of wrath incites you to, nor what the falsehood and pleasure of this world entice you to; but break both their wills. Neither provoke any to anger. For if you deal falsely, you do incense your brother and hinder the kingdom of God.
p. 62
25. You should be a leader into the kingdom of God, and enkindle your brother with your love and meekness, that he may see in you God's essence as in a mirror, and thus in you take hold also with his imagination. Doest you this, then bring you your soul, your work, likewise your neighbour or brother into God's kingdom, and enlargest the kingdom of heaven with its wonders. This has Christ taught us, saying: If any smite you on one cheek, offer him the other also; if any take away your cloak, withhold not from him your coat also (Matt. v. 39, 40) ; that he may have in you a mirror and retreat into himself, see your meekness, acknowledge you are God's child, and that God's Spirit leads you; that he may learn of you, descend into himself and seek himself. Else, if you oppose him with defiance and spite, his spite becomes kindled still more, and at last he thinks he is acting right to you. But thus he must certainly recognize he does you wrong.
26. And as God's love resists all wicked men, and the conscience often dissuades from evil, so also your meekness and patience go to his bad conscience, and arraign the conscience in itself before God's light in the wrath. In this way many a wicked man goes out from his wickedness, descends into himself and seeks himself. Then God's Spirit puts him in mind of your patience, and sets it before his eyes, and so he is drawn thereby into repentance and abstinence.
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